Your Roots Aren't Showing

Actually, the tree in the photo above does not support the home. It is a few feet to the south of the house but you would not know it from the photo. This tree presents a few potential problems. Some of those I will address in this blog and other problems I will post in addiitional  blogs today. The main issue with the above photo is the amount of organic debris that the tree will drop on the roof. You will see, in the other related blogs, that this is a very heavy coating of material that will block drainage on the roof. In a situation like this, since the area is forest and buyers do not want to cut down the tree, maintenance is required. The roof must be cleaned regularly and that might be every month or so at this house. To help slow down the maintenance required, cutting branches back so they are not over the roof, or at least cutting them ten to twelve feet above the roof will help. The branches shade the surface and that contributes to moss. Take a look at the photo below.

This is the lower end of the same tree. The biggest concern with a large tree like this, six feet from the foundation, is encroachment of the roots. Roots can intrude on, and damage, the concrete foundation. An inspector should look to see if there are any signs of such damage on the outside and also by viewing that area in the crawl space. Some species of trees have roots that cause more problems than others. Another common problem with roots, other than the related issue of breaking and lifting sidewalks is they can get in old clay tile sewer lines as they search for moisture.

Thanks for looking.

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections